Legislation preventing delays for small-scale energy systems advances to Senate Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee today unanimously approved state Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would make it easier for lower-income houses of worship and other smaller nonprofit groups to obtain security funding. Salisbury’s H.B. 2639 would remove the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund’s 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if a nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000. “For houses of worship and other community groups, nothing is more important than ensuring members are safe on the premises,” Salisbury said. “Unfortunately, many smaller groups struggle to meet the dollar match required to obtain funding under our state security grant program. We saw this happen after the attempted shooting at Jesus’ Dwelling Place in North Braddock. Like many smaller groups whose outreach is limited to the immediate community, the church struggled to raise the required 33% match. It took them a year and a half to raise the match and secure a line of credit for the cost-reimbursable $75,000 grant. “The size of a group’s operating budget should never determine its ability to protect members. My bill would lift the 33% match requirement for grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 if a nonprofit’s annual revenue is less than $250,000, to ensure everyone has the protection they deserve.” The bill now Read more
"As someone who has stuttered since a young age, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be when others don't understand you,” said state Rep. Brandon Markosek. “Traffic stops can become stressful and for drivers who face communication barriers, they can be overwhelming. This bill would give those drivers a tool to prevent misunderstandings and let officers know what to expect, so that both sides can approach the moment with less confusion." Read more
BRADDOCK, Sept. 29 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury will host the fourth annual Nonprofit Symposium from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Monroeville Convention Center, located at 209 Mall Blvd. in Monroeville, 15146. Salisbury, who is the founder and co-chair of the Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus, said this year’s free event will be the largest and most comprehensive symposium to date, with an agenda covering a broad range of topics to help nonprofits thrive at a crucial time. “Wherever people need help, nonprofits are there at the ground level – providing food, connecting residents with mental health and crisis services, running afterschool programs and meeting hundreds of other community needs,” Salisbury said. “Those services are more critical than ever, as more families are feeling the impact of cuts at the federal level. This year’s symposium will help nonprofit board members, managers, staffers and volunteers develop the skills they need to ensure that their organizations are there to meet the demand. I urge anyone who works or volunteers for a nonprofit in any capacity to register for this free event.” Salisbury said this year’s agenda will include expert-led sessions on nonprofit social media communications, cultivating recurring individual small donors, managing nonprofit risk, telling your nonprofit’s story, and nonprofit personnel mental Read more
Recent storms fueled by disruptive new weather patterns -- and the accompanying power outages that result -- underscore that utility workers need good contracts that keep qualified workers on the job to protect residents, state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, said today. Read more
Read my email update from September 18, 2026 Read more
State dollars support streetscape improvements, new vehicle purchases Read more
"These projects support the things residents count on every day, from clean water to safe parks to reliable public buildings," state Rep. Anita Kulik said. "I'm proud to have helped secure this funding, and I look forward to seeing the impact it makes in our communities." Read more
BRADDOCK, Sept. 15 – New grants totaling nearly $4.5 million will fund major transportation and water infrastructure improvements, vehicle and equipment purchases, and facility renovation projects in the 34 th Legislative District, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. “The new funding will allow our municipalities to repair deteriorating roads, update aging water and wastewater infrastructure, improve stormwater management, clear blight, renovate community facilities and move forward with other projects to make life safer and more convenient for residents,” Salisbury said. “The dollars from the state will also help ease the strain on taxpayers.” Salisbury said the 17 grants, secured through the Commonwealth Financing Authority under the Local Share Account, include: $800,000 to Pittsburgh to purchase a pumper fire truck for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire to replace the old, deteriorated unit. (Will benefit District 34 and nine other districts). $500,000 to the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh for the next phase of renovations to the Clayton Mansion, including reconstructing exterior areas damaged by water runoff, masonry repairs, painting and repairs to windows, doors, and other areas. $326,623 to Swissvale-Braddock Hills Regional Police Department to purchase four hybrid vehicles: two marked patrol cars, one unmarked patrol car and one marked K-9 vehicle. $317,604 to Forest Hills Borough to Read more
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 15 – Ten projects serving the 21st Legislative District will receive a total of $3,042,378 in grant funding through the Local Share Account program, announced state Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny. “Whether it be desperately needed infrastructure repairs, new housing development or support for local students, this funding will see real, noticeable impacts to better our community,” said Powell. “I am excited to see these projects completed, and I will continue to see that our community gets every cent of funding we need.” The projects supported with this funding include: $800,000 for the purchase of a pumper fire truck for Pittsburgh. $582,704 to upgrade a water metering system in Reserve Township. $450,000 to stabilize a failing section of Logan Street in Millvale. $300,000 for the purchase of a sewer cleaning truck in Pittsburgh. $250,000 to Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, on behalf of Rising Tide Partners, to renovate an existing four-story blighted building and an adjoining single-family home into a four-unit affordable mixed-used building with one commercial space on the first floor. $200,000 to construct an ADA-accessible concrete perimeter trail at Fall Run Park in Shaler Township. $150,000 for Light of Life Ministries for the purchase of three vehicles to serve people experiencing homelessness. $150,000 for the Sarah Heinz House Read more
“Accessible housing, safe community spaces, and reliable emergency response — these grants are about making sure every resident of District 23 can fully participate in community life,” state Rep. Dan Frankel said. “I'm proud to help deliver funding that supports our diverse, vibrant neighborhoods.” Read more
"These grants tackle real needs in our communities, from equipping our firefighters to repairing aging infrastructure," state Rep. Brandon Markosek said. "I'm proud to work with Sen. Pisciottano to bring these resources home and deliver for the people we serve." Read more
McCANDLESS, Sept. 15 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, has announced over $1.6 million in grant funding through the Local Share Account program that will benefit seven projects in McCandless, Franklin Park, Hampton Township and Ohio Township. “This funding will support a wide range of long-needed projects in our community, from infrastructure repairs to investments in our community safety,” Venkat said. “I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition, and I am proud to work with my legislative colleagues from across our region to get the funding we need back to our local communities.” The projects supported with this funding include: $600,000 for water line replacement on Thompson Run Road in McCandless to address a history of frequent breaks and degraded infrastructure. $300,000 for lighting and security upgrades at Wall Park and Vestal Park in McCandless. $200,000 for renovations at the Ingomar North Recreation and Swimming Club facility in McCandless, including replacing the pool liner to reduce water loss, installing a new pool vacuum to ensure the longevity of the pool liner and to purchase a new pool cover for winter protection. $200,000 to replace the roofs of the municipal and FITES building in Hampton Township. $179,457 to repair aging components of the LaRoche East Dam in McCandless. $102,698 to Franklin Park Borough for the purchase of a new Read more
AMBRIDGE, Sept. 10 – New grant funding of $9,500 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will support the operations of the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is a commission member and chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said the funding will ensure the foundation can continue critical preservation work and educational programs and exhibits. “As our county’s official historical society, the foundation collects, preserves and archives important pieces of our history,” Matzie said. “But they also offer unique events and exhibits that engage young people, spark their interest in history, and make our region’s unique past relatable to people of all ages. The new funding will ensure that they can continue this vital work that connects us to our heritage.” Matzie said that in addition to the funding to the foundation, PHMC awarded eight grants totaling $342,000 to Allegheny County museums and historical centers. The funding was awarded under the 2026-27 Cultural and Historical Support Grant program. More information about the program is available here: https://www.pa.gov/services/phmc/apply-for-a-cultural-and-historical-support-grant . Read more
State grant programs currently accepting applications Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 10 – Following the release of new enrollment numbers under PENNIE, Pennsylvania’s health insurance marketplace, which show significant disenrollments to date in 2026, state Reps. Jen Mazzocco, Arvind Venkat and Steve Samuelson are calling for action on their legislation to increase affordable healthcare coverage in the state. As of September 2026, 417,000 people are enrolled in PENNIE. In the last nine months, following federal inaction to renew enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, 202,000 people disenrolled. From 2021 to 2025, PENNIE enrollment grew by 150,000, and now net enrollment is down more than 75,000. The legislators introduced H.B. 2550 , legislation that would create a state tax credit for small businesses that contribute to their employees’ health coverage. The bill passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support and awaits consideration in the Senate Finance Committee. “It’s disheartening to see even more Pennsylvanians losing their health insurance,” said Mazzocco , prime sponsor of the legislation. “No one in the commonwealth should have to disregard their well-being for financial reasons. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to make quality affordable healthcare accessible to all and reverse this discouraging enrollment trend.” Venkat, a board member of PENNIE and the General Assembly’s only Read more
South Allegheny School District has been awarded two state grants of $25,000 for school safety measures, according to state Reps. Dan Goughnour and John Inglis, and state Sen. Nick Pisciottano, all D-Allegheny. Read more
State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, a leading advocate in Pennsylvania of protecting children from digital harm, described today’s settlement in Meta’s major federal lawsuit over youth social media addiction as only one step in the right direction in the effort to create a healthier online environment for children Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 24 – To recognize the extraordinary sacrifices of military servicemembers, state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Charity Grimm Krupa have announced their intention to introduce bipartisan legislation that would expand tuition assistance for the children of those members of the military who were certified 100% disabled due to combat, killed-in-action or died as a result of injuries in the line-of-service, awarded the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart, held as a prisoner-of-war, or declared missing-in-action. Current law, which has not been updated for nearly 40 years, allows the children of veterans with extraordinary service records to receive $500 in tuition assistance for higher education per semester. This new proposal would triple that support to $1,500 per semester and cover gaps in eligibility for federal or state tuition assistance. “Our military servicemembers and their families have made some of the most difficult sacrifices anyone can,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “This legislation will help ease the financial burden on military families and expand access to education while also recognizing the service and sacrifice that protect our freedoms.” Grimm Krupa has a rich family history of military service. Her father served in the Army, and two of her brothers served in the armed forces -- the Army and the Marine Corps, respectively. “Freedom has never been free, and the Read more
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